Spotlight on … Free pads and tampons across Victoria

Menstruation, or having a period, is a natural part of life. 

Pads and tampons aren’t a luxury and are essential to health and wellbeing. Victorians should be able to access them whenever and wherever they need to. That's why the Victorian Government rolled out free pads and tampons vending machines in public places across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. 

By improving free access to the products people need, this program is supporting Victorians’ health and delivering cost of living relief.

Rolling out free pads and tampons across the state 

Stage one test phase

In November 2024, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) officially launched the stage one test phase at State Library Victoria – with 50 vending machines installed in public places across metro Melbourne including health centres, hospitals, TAFEs, public libraries and cultural institutions.

By April 2025, more than 20,000 period products were dispensed. This helped us to understand stock levels and machine locations to better meet the needs of all Victorians ahead of the statewide launch.

Vending machines have been installed at an increasing number of public places across metro Melbourne, including Melbourne Museum, the Royal Women’s Hospital, the Bendigo Kangan Institute in Richmond and Essendon, and numerous public libraries.

Statewide rollout phase

Following the success of the stage one test phase, the statewide rollout of vending machines began, with machines installed in regional locations such as Gippsland TAFE, as well as Drouin, Geelong, Lara and Koo Wee Rup. As of July 2025, the machines had dispensed over 60,000 free period products and counting, providing important wellbeing and cost of living supports for Victorians. What a milestone!

Reaching all corners of Victoria

When complete, 1,500 machines will be installed at up to 700 sites across the whole of Victoria, helping people across the state gain access to the pads and tampons they need to lead fuller, healthier lives.

Vending machine locations include: 

• libraries 
• public hospitals and health centres
• TAFEs and universities
• staffed train stations
• sporting precincts
• courts
• cultural institutions
• shopping centres.

Have a look at the vending machines in action

Scroll through some photos showing how the machines dispense free pads and tampons.

Working together to install and stock the machines

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) proudly partnered with Affinity Outdoor—a female-led company with a 90 per cent women workforce—to design and build the pads and tampons machines. 

A mix of smart machines and battery-operated machines are being installed at venues across the state. All machines have accessibility features including simple on-screen instructions and easily reachable controls and buttons.

Smart machines are equipped with touch screen technology, making them easy to use. Battery-operated machines have LED lighting and braille plates with essential information for people with low vision.

All machines have stock monitoring systems to accurately track product levels.

Disability support organisation Cape Solutions helps us repackage the free period products that go into the vending machines.

Behind the scenes, amazing people like Gabrielle Seils-Owen help keep dispensers stocked and ready. Two days a week, Seils-Owen drives a van across the city restocking the pads and tampon machines. She’s also trained to replace parts like coils and motors and runs software updates on the machines if needed.

Carmody, Broede. "Found yourself caught short of sanitary products? Free vending machine for tampons dispense 20,000 packs." The Age, 12 April 2025.

Why free period products matter to students

According to Share the Dignity’s Bloody Big Survey 2024, more students at TAFEs and universities are improvising on period products when compared to their 2021 survey data.

During the launch of free pads and tampons in regional Victoria, Bonnie Healey, manager of Student Support Services at TAFE Gippsland spoke about the impact free period products have on students.

“Many of our students are navigating life on a low income. For them, TAFE doesn’t just offer a pathway to a career, it’s a place of hope, connection, and transformation.”

“In saying this … for many, the cost of essential items—including period products—are often a barrier to education. The student support team and many of our educators have seen this firsthand.”

Bonnie shared a story of how one student had frequent, unexplained absences. After building trust with an advisor, they discovered the student was staying home during her period because she didn’t have access to period products—resorting to toilet paper and isolation instead.

Another student, a 45-year-old retraining as a school education support professional, was experiencing perimenopause.

“Her periods had become unpredictable and frequent, and with the added financial strain of unpaid course placement, she simply couldn’t keep up with the cost.”

This student was using period products far beyond the recommended time, risking health complications including urinary tract infections and Toxic Shock Syndrome.

“By providing free period products, the community aren’t just giving out pads or tampons—they are removing a real barrier to education. The community is saying to every student: You belong here. Your needs are valid. And your future matters.”

Bonnie Healey – manager of Student Support Services at TAFE Gippsland 

Find free pads and tampons near you

Spread the word about Victoria’s free pads and tampons vending machines. Let’s normalise periods and make sure pads and tampons are available to those who need them the most.

To learn more and to find your closest vending machine on our interactive map, visit the free pads and tampons webpage and search for your location.

@theageaustralia Coming to a public toilet near you – the Victorian government has announced a statewide rollout of machines dispensing free period products. #victoria #melbourne #australia #government #period #periodproducts #menstruation #women #statelibrary ♬ Elevator Music02 - AndyWarner